Surgical system for ophthalmological procedures

Abstract

A surgical system for ophthalmic procedures, comprising a housing (1) with functional units located therein, as well as with operating and display elements and connections for ophthalmic devices, and optionally comprising a table, a frame or a cart for positioning the housing (1), is characterized in that the housing (1) and / or the table, frame or cart is assigned a preferably indirect lighting (4) as a design element, which simultaneously indicates a current operating state or a current functionality or an active program of the system.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a surgical system for ophthalmic procedures, comprising a housing with functional units located therein, as well as with operating and display elements and connections for ophthalmic devices, and optionally comprising a table, a frame or a cart for positioning the housing.

[0002] Surgical systems of the type under discussion here have been known in practice for years. With regard to the integrated functional units and the basic function, reference is made, by way of example, to DE 10 2017 215 677 B3, DE 10 2015 003 799 A1 and US 2015 / 0250939 A1. These publications, considered individually, describe generic ophthalmic systems.

[0003] Systems of the type under discussion here typically include integrated light sources, or point light sources, that can indicate a specific operating state. For example, such systems have an indicator light to show whether the system is switched on or off. The light sources provided there serve exclusively to indicate a single, specific situation.

[0004] While systems of this type were previously less focused on design, modern industrial design is playing an increasingly important role, similar to what is seen in dental systems. Functionality remains paramount, closely followed by an appealing design, which can be a decisive factor in purchasing decisions when comparing comparable devices.

[0005] Based on the aforementioned situation, the invention aims to combine design elements with functionality. Furthermore, the effort expended on the design should be justified by a functional connection. Finally, the system according to the invention should differ from competing products.

[0006] The aforementioned problem is solved by the features of claim 1, according to which the generic surgical system for ophthalmic procedures is equipped with a preferably indirect illumination as a design element on the housing and / or on a table, frame, or cart on which the housing or the device is placed. This initially purely design element is combined with a functional function, namely that the illumination simultaneously indicates a current operating state, a current functionality, or an active program of the system. The display serves the operator, i.e., primarily the physician using the system and the assistants.

[0007] It should be noted here that the lighting is defined first and foremost as a design element. This could be, for example, a light strip, an illuminated logo of the manufacturer, a symbol of the clinic or doctor's office operating the device, etc. It is conceivable to customize this design element, thus enabling a kind of personalization or individualization of the system.

[0008] In addition to its function as a design element, lighting serves to indicate the current operating status to the user or accompanying surgical personnel. This could include, for example, displaying a specific program currently running, such as aspiration or irrigation. It can also signal the selected surgical area—anterior or posterior segment—as well as a specific phase in the surgical procedure for different sections, or various general functions such as suction, ultrasound, irrigation, etc. Thus, the lighting, preferably indirect, provides the surgeon with information about the specific function without requiring direct observation of the device. Light or color reflections in the room are sufficient to convey this information.

[0009] The lighting is advantageously an RGB LED system, allowing for any desired color change, and in particular, a color flow. For example, a color flow can be used to simulate the flow in the irrigation or aspiration line.

[0010] As explained above, the lighting emits a specific color or color sequence and / or a uniform, pulsating, rotating, or flowing light, depending on the function being communicated and its operating state. By selecting the appropriate lighting, the content to be conveyed can be optimized and presented in the simplest way.

[0011] The lighting or light source can be integrated into the housing, with the emitted light being at least partially visible from the outside. It is also conceivable to use light guides with defined light outlets, starting from a point light source.

[0012] The lighting can be located at any point on the housing, preferably in a side wall that is otherwise free of functional elements. The lighting can extend essentially across the entire housing wall, either through a series of point sources, a single linear light source, or a planar light source or corresponding light-emitting surface. Light guides with defined light exit points can be used.

[0013] If the system uses a table, frame, or cart to position the housing, the lighting can be integrated into the table, frame, or cart, either as an alternative or additional element. Specifically, the lighting, particularly the light source, can be integrated into a frame, edge, leg, strut, etc., of the table, frame, or cart. Any placement or integration of light-emitting elements is possible.

[0014] It should be emphasized once again that this is not simply about providing additional lighting, but rather about providing lighting as a design element, whereby this lighting simultaneously has a function to indicate a specific operating state.

[0015] There are now various ways to advantageously elaborate and further develop the teaching of the present invention. For this purpose, reference should be made, on the one hand, to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and, on the other hand, to the following explanation of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing. In conjunction with the explanation of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred embodiments and further developments of the teaching are also explained. In the drawing, the The single figure in a schematic view shows a surgical system for ophthalmic procedures, where only the housing, as a black box, with the functional units contained within is shown.

[0016] As shown in the single figure, the ophthalmological system comprises a housing 1, which in the embodiment chosen here is designed as a tabletop device. It can also be arranged on a stand, cart, etc.

[0017] A front panel 2 is visible, featuring operating and display elements which will not be described in detail here. Regarding these operating and display elements, please refer to the previously mentioned state of the art.

[0018] The figure reveals that a design element is formed on or in a side wall 3 of the housing 1, namely an RGB LED light 4. The light 4, or rather the resulting light emission, is stylized and conveys – initially – a design claim of the device.

[0019] Simultaneously, the lighting (4) serves to convey information to the operator and assisting personnel, indicating the current operating status, functionality, or active program of the system. This can be achieved through continuous illumination or flashing. Information can also be conveyed via the emitted color.

[0020] It should be noted here that the lighting 4 and the resulting light emission can be designed in any way desired, for example, linearly or diffusely. The side wall is suitable for this purpose, as it is free of other functional controls.

[0021] Regarding further features, reference is made to the general part of the description and the claims to avoid repetition.

[0022] Regarding further advantageous embodiments of the teaching according to the invention, reference is made to the general part of the description as well as to the attached claims.

[0023] Finally, it should be expressly pointed out that the embodiment of the teaching according to the invention described above serves only to discuss the claimed teaching, but does not limit it to the embodiment described above. Reference symbol list

[0024] 1 Housing 2 Front panel 3 Side panel 4 Lighting

Claims

1. Surgical system for ophthalmic procedures, comprising a housing (1) with functional units contained therein, as well as with operating and display elements and connections for ophthalmic devices, and optionally comprising a table, a rack or a cart for positioning the housing (1), characterized by the fact that The housing (1) and / or the table, frame or cart is assigned a preferably indirect lighting (4) as a design element, which simultaneously indicates a current operating state or current functionality or an active program of the system.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the lighting (4) is designed as RGB LED lighting.

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the lighting (4) is at least partially linear and / or planar.

4. System according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact thatthe lighting (4) emits a specific color or sequence of colors and / or a uniform or pulsating or rotating or flowing light according to the respective operating state.

5. System according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that the lighting (4) is integrated into the housing (1) and is at least partially visible from the outside.

6. System according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that the lighting (4) is integrated into a housing wall, preferably into a side housing wall (3).

7. System according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that The lighting extends essentially across the entire housing wall.

8. System according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterized by the fact that the lighting (4) is assigned to the table, frame or trolley.

9. System according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that the lighting (4) is assigned to a frame, an edge, a leg, a strut, etc. of the table, frame or trolley.

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